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Jason Terry: 'Embarrassing' how Boston Celtics have been punished in the paint

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Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry (4) is congratulated by teammate Terrence Williams (55) after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 1, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)

WALTHAM -- Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry said the team's shootaround Wednesday was "almost like a practice," with the team focusing on offensive execution and limiting opponents' easy looks.

"We just have to come out and play our style of basketball, regardless of who the opponent is," Terry said. "Right now, obviously, getting ready for the playoffs -- defensively, we want to protect the paint. It's been embarrassing how they've been punishing us with points in the paint over the last couple of weeks, so we need to force them to shoot tough, contested jump shots and not give up so many easy baskets."

With Kevin Garnett out, the Celtics have been starting a frontcourt of Chris Wilcox, Brandon Bass and Jeff Green -- a trio that lacks a real rim protector and has surrendered quite a few points when sharing the court.

The Celtics have gotten better throughout the season at playing with Garnett on the bench, but his prolonged absence has wreaked havoc on Boston's interior defense. The Celtics have a defensive rating of 108.0 over the six games Garnett's missed due to foot inflammation, which would rank them third from the bottom over the entire season.

Despite losing seven of their last nine games, the Celtics can clinch a playoff spot Wednesday night with a win and a Philadelphia loss to Charlotte.

"I don't think there's any doubt in any of our mind that we won't be in the playoffs," Terry said. "It's more of an emphasis on how we're playing at this point."